Binder.



No. 690,859. Patented Ian. 7, I902.

H. H. HGFFMANN. BINDER (Application filed Aug. 23, 18971 Renewed Aug.29, 1901.)

5 S heets-Sheat l.

v (No Model.)

Patented Jan. 7, I902. H. H. HUFFMANN;

BINDER.

(Application filed Aug. 23, 1897. Renewed Aug. 29, 1901.)

5 Shee ts-Sheet 2.

filo Model.)

No. 690,859. A Patented Ian. 7, 1902. H. H. "OH-MANN.

B l N D E R.

(Application filed Aug. 23, 1897. Renewed Aug. 29, 1901.) (No ModeL) 5Sheets-Shee1t 3.

Nu. 690,859. Patented Jan. 7, I902 H. H. HUFFMANN.

B I N D E R. (Application filed Aug. 23, 1897. Rqnewed Aug. 29, 1901.)

5 Sheeis-5heet 5.

(No Model.)

Invent? ms NORRIS PETERS cc. woro-Uwmwnmm'rm, n. cy

. Unifrnn STATES ATENT @FFICE.

HERMAN II. IIOFFMANN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 690,859, dated January7, 1902. Application filed August 23,1897. Renewed August 29, 1901.Serial No. 73.696- (NO 111 8 To (0Z5 whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN H. HOFFMANN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chi cago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Binders, of which thefollowing is a description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

The present invention relates to an improvementin binders, which whileadapted for use as a permanent binder for leaves is preferably designedto be used in connection with flat-opening leaves, which may be readilyremoved and replaced by new ones, the binder being then firmly lookedupon the leaves, forming'a complete flat-opening book. This form ofbinder may also be used as a transfer-binder for the storing away ofleaves which have been filled. A binder of this general character waspatented tome on the 22d day of September, 1896, No. 568,251, and in thestatement of invention of the said patent I referred generally to thestate of the art as it existed prior to the time of the filing of theapplication upon which said patent was granted and pointingout thedifficulties heretofore existing in the use of the said devices. In saidpatentI showed, described, and claimed a new form of temporary andtransfer binder designed especially for flat-opening leaves, the saidbinder consisting of the base member and a binding member havingvertical movement relative to each other, with vertical casings locatedbetween said members and provided with recesses constructed to receiveand protect the lateral projections formed on the rear side edges of theleaves to be inserted in the binder. I have experienced difficulty withthis device as well as with others existing prior thereto in that it isdifficult to securely lock in place a small number of leaves, the minimum numberbeing from onehundred to onehundred and fifty. It

will be seen, therefore, that for this reason it is impracticable to usethe device as a transfer-binder for the storing away of leaves whichhave been filled out except when the said leaves have reached thisminimum number.

It is the object of the present invention to do away with thesedifficulties heretofore existing and provide a device which may sccurelylock and hold in place any number of leaves, and therefore may be usedeither as a flat-opening book with removable leaves or as a binder towhich the tilled-out leaves may be transferred.

To accomplish these objects, the invention consists, primarily, in atemporary binder having a base-piece and a binding member with flexiblevertical casings located between the members and having recessesconstructed to receive and protect lateral projections or shoulders onthe rear. side edges of the leaves to be inserted in the binder; andfinally the invention comprises various matters hereinafter described,and referred to in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a binderembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear View, partly in section. Fig. 3is a top plan view of the rear portion of the binder with the upperinclos-- ing casing removed. Fig. 4. is a detail sectional view on theline 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the coupling-linksof the flexible binding-chain. Fig. 6 is a detail view of thelocking-cam. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred form of leafwhich I intend to use in my improved binder. Fig. 8 is a detail view ofthe key which looks and unlocks the binder and also manipulates theflexible chain. Fig. 9 is a perspective View showing a complete bookwith the top and bottom covers in place, this figure showing anotherform of binder, in which a certain amount of the flexible chain may bestored in the lower part of the casing, this being intended for useWhere the pages of the book are very narrow and there would not be roomin one casing above to store all the chain required. Fig. 10 is anenlarged sectional view of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a sectional top plan viewof the lower casing. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another form ofbook embodying my invention. Figs. 13 and 14 are perspective andsectional views, respectively, of a removable back designed for mybinder. Fig. 15 is a sectional rear view of Fig. 12. Figs. 16 to 21,inclusive, represent various forms of links with leaves correspondingtherewith. Fig. 22 is an enlarged view, partly in section, looking fromthe front of the book shown in Fig. 12 on one side thereof. Fig. 23 is asectional end view of Fig. 12. Fig. 24 is a similar view showing thelocking mechanism. Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 23, showingantifriction guiderollers for guiding and tumbling the links.

Fig. 26 is a sectional view illustrating an alternative arrangement foroperating the flexible links.

In the drawings the preferred form of book which I use for the ordinary.large flat-openingledgers is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, while in Figs.9, l0, and 11 is shown an arrangement which I prefer Where the leaves ofthe book are comparatively narrow and not enough chain to accommodatethe thickness of the book can be stored in one casing or chamber.

-A represents the base-piece, preferably of metal, and to which isattached the lower cover B, preferably by means of a flexible connectiona, the metallic piece A, cover B, and flexible connection between thembeing all covered with canvas in the usual way.

0 represents the upper or binding piece, to which is secured the uppercover D.

T Fastened to the base-piece A, upon either side of the rear edgethereof, by means of screws 1), passing through ears c, is the lower endof a flexible chain, (represented as a whole in Figs. 2, 10, 15, and 22by letter E,) thelowest link of which flexiblechain is shown at d and isprovided with the ears 0, heretofore mentioned. To this rigid link ispivoted a link e, this said link e being pivoted to a coupling-link f,this coupling-link being shown clearly in Fig. 5 and formingthecouplings between any two members 6 of the chain. These links 6,together with the couplinglinksf, form when in position practically athree-sided casing, within which the rear side edges or shoulders g onthe leaves F are inserted and fully protected. The upper link on theflexible chainas shown, for example, at h, Figs. 2 and 10has attached toit a rack G, there being also a similararrangement of chain and rackupon the opposite rear edge of the base and binding pieces, except thattheteeth on the rack G extend downwardly, while those on'the oppositeside H extend upwardly. The chains are inclosed Within a casing I,attached to the top binding-piece, this casing being of size sufficientto store away such upper links of the flexible chain as may happen notto be in use.

To manipulate the chains, there is supported on the binding member ashaft t', the

the binding-piece, and thereby raise or lower the binding-piece byexpanding or retracting the chainsthat is, by turning the key to theleft the binding-piece is raised and the chains straightened out to avertical position, thus allowing of the insertion or removal of anynumber of leaves. In the opposite movement of the rack the chains aredrawn into which it is desired to use.

the casing I and stored. To provide for looking the binder, a cam, asshown in-Fig. 6, is used, this cam m being constructed to act upon aspring-pawln, which engages the teeth on a ratchet-wheel K on the shaft'6. When this pawl is unlocked from engagement with the teeth on theratchet-wheel, the binding member may be manipulated in eitherdirection; but upon operating the cam m to cause the pawl to engage theratchet-teeth all upward movement of the binding member is prevented,thus effectually stopping any unauthorized persons from removing leavesfrom the binder. In orderto still further set the leaves F and preventtheir wabbling in the casings, I provide them with a central recess M,through which passes a wire rope q or some other flexible device, whichis attached at its lower end to the base-piece A and at its opposite endto the end of the rack H, and it is also preferably engaged by theteethon the wheel N, as shown in Fig. 4. The curved lugs 0 (shown inFigs. 2 and 3) serve to guide and help tumble the flexible chain.

In Figs. 9,10, and 11 I have shown an arrangement which it is designedto use where the book is of such dimensions that it is not practicable,without greatly increasing the size of the upper casing, to store allthe links In these figures in addition to the arrangements heretoforedescribed in connection with the upper cas ing there is provided a lowercasing P, to which a lower or base piece is secured, and within thislower casing are arranged a series of flexible links, one of which has arod p extending out from its end and having secured to it the lower endof the flexible rope q. Although I have not shown the same in thesefigures, yet it will be understood that these reserve links, which arestored in the bottom casing of the binder, may be provided withmanipulating means similar to those described in connection with thelinks that are stored in the upper casing. Instead of arranging in thislower casing a series of links similar to those above,which wouldobviously be within the scope of myinvention, I prefer to use inthe saidlower part of each side a long two-and-one-half-inch link, as shown atr, and a short end link 3, which when it is tipped over within the lowercasing would hold the long link in place. When this long link is used inthe bottom casing instead of the series of short ones, it will bereadily seen that there will not be room enough by the ordinarymanipulatingkey, as above de scribed, to tip the long link and force itup through the base member, and it will therefore be necessary toprovide simple means,v

such as set-screws 100, for unlocking the lower casing and forcing thelong links up through the same, the latter acting as the verticalcasings to protect the rear edges of the leaves until all their lengthhas been occupied, and then the short flexible links will come into playagain.

In Figs. 12 and 15 of the drawings and also in Figs. 22 to 26 are showndifferent forms of binders embodying the broad principles of myinvention, while in Figs. 16 to '20 are shown Various forms of leavesand pivoted links. For example, in Fig. 16 the pivoted links are shownas having broad rear edges and having a thin or angular extending piecet, which fits in the notch formed in the rear side edge of the leaf tobe inserted in the binder, this leaf being shown in Fig. 17, the broadrear edge u of the link acting to protect the rear side edge of theleaf. In Fig. 18 the form of link is very much like that shown in Fig. 5of the drawings and the leaf used therewith is substantially the same asleaf F, (shown in Fig. 7,) this leaf being shown in Fig. 19. In Fig. 20the link is of the general shape shown in Fig.18, except that it has acentral fin o, and the leaf designed to be used in connection therewithwill have two notches or cuts arranged in its rear side edge, as shownin Fig. 21.

Referring now to Figs. 12 and 15, upon the top member or binding-piece Ois hinged or otherwise attached a box or casing I, of size sufficient tostore away the upper links of the flexible chain which are not in use.As shown in Figs. 15 and 22, there passes through the lower part of thiscasing or box I a horizontal shaft Q, carrying near either end a wheelor disk 1, provided with lugs 2, adapted to successively engage theholes 3, coned in one side of the pivoted links, whereby in the rotationof said shaft in one direction or the other the links are raised orlowered. Of course means must be provided to allow those links which areto be stored in the box or casing to pass each other, and in said Fig.15 a guiding-plate 5 guides the links on one side above the plate, whileon the other side said links fall to the bottom of said box or casing inthe manner illustrated in said Fig. 15.

The preferred means of manipulating the shaft Q, as well as for lookingit against movement, is shown in detail in Figs. 22 and 24. In thesesaid shaft is extended through one end of't'n e casing and is providedwith a portion adapted to be engaged by a wrench or key. Within thecasing and located adjacent the wheel which locates the flexible linkson one side is a ratchet-wheel 6, which engages a pawl 7, which pawllocks said ratchetwheel firmly in place and is movable by means of a dog8, provided with a key-shaft 9. The pawl is held normally in engagementwith the ratchet by means of a leaf-spring 10; but upon manipulation ofthe key the dog throws out the ratchet-pawl and the shaft may be turned.In Fig.'26 the rotation of the shaft is accomplished by providingthereon a beveled gear 11, which is in mesh with another beveled gearmanipulated from the front of the casing by means of a suitable key. Furthermore, it will be understood that other means for manipulating theshaft may be provided, or chains running over sprocket-wheels may beused to move the links up and down.

As shown in Figs. 22 and 15, the links are tumbled over and guided bymeans of a curved plate 12, attached to the upper member of the binder;but, as shown in Fig. 25, this may be dispensed with, and insteadthereof antifriction guiding-rollers 13, 14, and 15 may be used, theroller 13 acting to guide and tumble the links, while the rollers 14 and15 guide the sides thereof and prevent any sidewise or wabbling movementof the chain while it is in motion.

To protect the rear edges of the leaves within the binder, I provide thearrangements shown in Figs. 12, 13, and 14. In Fig. 12 a number of hooks17 are attached at the top and bottom, inside thebinding-pieces, and tothe hook or hooks on the base-piece eyeleted double boards 18, aboutthree inches in height, are provided, and upon the hooks of the topmember a second piece of pasteboard 19, which slides between thedouble-boards 18, the two together forming a back for the ledger orother book or transfer-binder, in'case it be used as such.

In Figs. 13 and 14 another arrangement for protecting the back of thebook is shown in which a central part of tin or leather is provided,having two pockets, in which pockets telescope tin or leather pieces 21and 22. These pieces 21 and 22 are attached to the top and bottommembers, respectively, if desired, by the hooks 17. This casing issupported by the two pieces 21 and 22i. 6., said two pieces are guidedtherein, and the movement thereof is limited, so that the said centralpiece does not lose its engagement therewith. A way of making this is toprovide each of the sliding pieces with stops 22, which prevent theirbeing withdrawn from the respective recesses.

It willbe understood thatwhileIha-ve shown as a means for manipulatingthe rack-bars which are attached to the chains a wheel N, provided withteeth extending throughout its entire length, this wheel perhaps beingmore properly termed a roller, still it will be understood that insteadof providing it with teeth and the bars with racks said roller may beprovided with lugs or sprockets engaging openings in the bars G H, andin the claims I consider the terms roller and wheel to be practicallyinterchangeable, and wherein I mention that the roller is provided withteeth operatively engaging the flexible chains I mean to cover not onlythe construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, but also the wheel 1,provided with lugs engaging holes in the links. This is shown in Fig.22.

It will be understood that various minor modifications and changes inthe construction of the binder may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention and that I do not wish to be limited in any wayto the details of construction of the lockin g means, the

,base and top members and flexible vertical &

links, themanipulating means, or any such details, for many changes maybe made by parties skilled in the art without involving a departure fromthe spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim,-and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. A binder comprising relatively movable base and top members andflexible binding means between the two members, said flexible bindingmeans carrying casings adapted to receive and protect the rear sideedges of the leaves to be inserted in the binder; substantially asdescribed.

2. A binder comprising relatively movable casings located between saidmembers and having recesses constructed to receive and protect lateralprojections on the rear side edges of the leaves to be inserted in thebinder, substantially as described.

3. A binder comprising relatively movable base and top members andflexible binding means between the two members, said flexible bindingmeans carrying casings adapted to receive and protect the rear sideedges ofthe leaves to be inserted in the binder, with means carried byone of said members for operating the flexible binding means;substantially as described.

4. A binder comprising relatively movable base and top members andflexible binding means between the two members, said flexible bindingmeans carrying casings adapted to receive and protect the rear sideedges of the leaves to be inserted in the binder, with means carried byone of said members for operating the flexible binding means, and meansfor locking the same in any position; substantially as described.

5. A binder comprising relatively movable base and top members withmeans for drawing the same toward and from each other, comprisingflexible chains adapted to engage the leaves to be inserted in thebinder, means for operating the chains comprising a rotating partoperatively engaging the chains, and a casing upon one of the memberswithin which the unused portions of the chains and also the operatingmeans may be stored, substantially as described.

6. A binder comprising top and base members relatively movable, andmeans for enbling said links; substantially as described.

10. A binder comprising relatively movable top and base members, arotating shaft carrying a toothed wheel and journaled on one of saidmembers, flexible chains for guiding and holding the rear side edges ofthe leaves to be bound, each of said chains being provided with a rackengaging one the upper and one the lowerperiphery of said wheel;substantially as described.

11. A temporary binder comprising relatively movable base and toppieces, flexible chains each adapted to receive and protect the rearside edges of the leaves to be bound in the binder and a toothed rollerwhich is operatively connected with the flexible chains; substantiallyas described.

12. Abinder comprising relatively movable base and top pieces, a casingcarried by the upper piece, a flexible chain secured to the base-pieceand extending upwardly into the casing, a rack-bar secured to the upperend of each of said chains, one rack-bar having downwardly and the otherupwardly projecting teeth and a toothed roller engaging said teeth formoving the rack simultaneously in opposite directions; substantially asdescribed.

13. A binder comprising base and top pieces relatively movable towardand from each other and each provided with a casing, flexible chainsextending between the top and base pieces and means for manipulating thesaid chains, whereby they may be stored in the top and bottom casings asdesired; substantially as described.

14. A binder comprising top and bottom members relatively movable towardand from each other, flexible chains extending between the two andadapted to receive and protect the rear side edges of the leaves to beinserted in the binder means for manipulating the said chains and acentrally flexible cord or rope also engaging recesses in the leaves andmeans for extending or relaxing said rope as the top and bottom membersare moved relatively away from or toward each other; substantially asdescribed.

15. In the herein-described hinder, the flexible chains and the flexiblecord movable by the same mechanism which moves the chains, substantiallyas described.

'16. As an extension-back for temporary binders, a centrally-recessedmember and upper and lower members telescoping Within edgesoftheleavesto beinsertedin thebinder; the recesses of said central member;substansubstantially as described. 10 tially as described. In testimonywhereof I affix my signature 17. Abinder,eomprising relatively movablein presence of two witnesses.

5 base and top members, and flexible extensi- HERMAN I-I. HOFFMANN.

ble binding means between the two members, Witnesses: said flexibleextensible binding; means being WV. G. LEMAY, formed to receive andprotect the rear side J. IRA COLLINS.

